Send Money Overseas

PayPal International Money Transfers

Did you know that you can use PayPal to quickly and easily transfer money overseas? We show you how.

PayPal is a well-known, digital payments company. Owned by eBay Inc., PayPal offers a fast and safe way to send money online.

Having been established in 1998, PayPal has been offering its services in Australia since 2005. The company processes some 9.3 million payments every day, and it has more than 150 million active account holders worldwide. Trading in 100 currencies and across more than 200 markets, PayPal also boasts in excess of five million active customer accounts in Australia.

Though perhaps best known for its ease of use when making purchases from online merchants, PayPal also makes it easy to send money overseas. PayPal’s service is fast and secure, though the company’s fee structure means this service is best used for transferring smaller amounts, usually up to a maximum of a few hundred dollars.

PayPal exchange rates

PayPal generally offers slightly better exchange rates than Australia’s ‘big four’ banks. However, in most cases, its exchange rates aren’t as high as those offered by specialist money transfer services, such as CurrencyFair. See the comparison table below to determine how PayPal’s rates stack up against the competition.

$1 AUD in

PayPal

Westpac

CurrencyFair

USD

0.93

0.84

0.87

GBP

0.53

0.52

0.55

CAD

0.95

0.94

0.98

JPY

92.23

91

95.15

EUR

0.67

0.66

0.69

NZD

1.07

1.07

1.12

THB

27.64

26.45

28.4

* Rates as at 1:30pm on 30/10/2014

Whenever you wish to send money overseas with PayPal, you can see the conversion rate that applies when you lodge your transaction. PayPal adjusts its rates frequently to stay in line with market conditions.

How much does it cost to transfer money with PayPal?

It’s free to sign up for a PayPal account. However, as well as exchange rates, you’ll also need to take fees into account when transferring funds. The fees which apply when you send money via PayPal depends on where your money is going and whether the transaction is funded from your PayPal balance, bank account or credit card. Fees are charged based on a percentage of the money you are transferring.

Where are you sending money?

If transaction is funded by your PayPal balance or bank account

If any part of your transaction is funded by Credit Card

Brazil

1%

7.4% + fixed fee

Canada

1%

3.9% + fixed fee

China

0.5%

3.9% + fixed fee

Hong Kong

0.5%

3.9% + fixed fee

Singapore

0.5%

3.9% + fixed fee

Taiwan

0.5%

3.9% + fixed fee

US

1%

3.9% + fixed fee

Germany

3.3%

5.2% + fixed fee

Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, France

1.8%

5.2% + fixed fee

Poland

2%

4.9% + fixed fee

Other European countries

1.5%

4.9% + fixed fee

All other countries

0.5%

3.9% + fixed fee

Minimum transfer amount and available countries

As PayPal is widely used for small payments, the minimum you can transfer in AUD is $0.03. PayPal is also available across 100 currencies around the world.

PayPal is available in 203 countries, a list of which can be found on the company’s website. While no such list exists of countries excluded from PayPal international money transfers, you won’t be able to use PayPal to send money to places like Afghanistan, Burma, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan.

What types of transfers can you carry out with PayPal?

PayPal is designed to take care of one-off transfers when you need to send money to someone. While it is possible to set up regular scheduled transfers, this will incur a fee. Other transfer options, such as forward contracts or limit orders, are not available. Your PayPal account is linked to your bank account, which is how you can access the funds you receive and withdraw them.

If you need customer support, PayPal has a well-organised Online Help Centre. However, you can also phone or email the company with any queries you may have.

The registration and transfer process

Both you and your recipient will need a PayPal account, but these are quick, easy and free to sign up for. You’ll need to provide:

Your email address

Name

Date of birth

Phone number

Address

Linked bank account or credit card details

Once you’ve signed up and logged in, click on the ‘Send Money’ tab in your account overview. Enter the email address or phone number of the person you are sending money to, the amount you wish to send and the reason for the transaction. You’ll then be shown the fees and exchange rate which will apply, before being given the opportunity to review your transaction and then click ‘Send Money’.

The entire process is relatively straightforward and the money typically arrives within minutes.

What are the pros and cons of using PayPal?

Pros

Better exchange rates than banks. PayPal’s exchange rates are typically a little better than those offered by the ‘big four’ banks.

PayPal Here App and Chip and PIN card reader. These services allow you to accept payments on the go.

Frequently asked questions

Is PayPal available for non-residents?

Yes.

What’s their refund/ dispute handling process?

PayPal has a detailed dispute resolution process in place to ensure that you can send money successfully.

Is PayPal suitable for small businesses?

Yes, it’s simple to open up a business account with PayPal.

Is there an app available to conduct transfers?

The PayPal app only allows you to send money within Australia.

How can I check my balance?

This can be easily done by logging into your account online or through the smartphone app.

If you’re looking to transfer no more than a few-hundred dollars overseas, PayPal could be the best money transfer option for you. However, compare PayPal’s fees and exchange rates with those of banks and money transfer companies to ensure you end up with a great deal.

Disclaimer - We endeavor to ensure that the information on this site is current and accurate but you should confirm any information with the product or service provider and read the information they can provide. If you are unsure you should get independent advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.

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Important Information

finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, we may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.